June has been a busy month in Parliament, after a relatively quiet May. Parliament essentially returned to normal after sitting for just over a week in May due to the King’s Speech.
Debates, questions and statements in Parliament
Adjournment debate on transport links for small towns – Westminster Hall – 03/06/2026 – Minister Simon Lightwood was present
MPs debated how poor transport links leave small towns isolated, with concerns spanning unreliable buses, missing or inaccessible rail links, unsafe roads, and weak active-travel routes. The debate called for more joined-up funding and planning so small towns can access jobs, healthcare, education and growth opportunities.
Debate on role of rail freight in the transport network – Westminster Hall – 03/06/2026 – Minister Lilian Greenwood was present
The debate focused on the importance of rail freight in reducing congestion, cutting emissions, supporting housebuilding and strengthening supply chains. Lisa Smart MP argued that rail freight had been held back by limited capacity, weak electrification, poor power supply and insufficient protection for freight paths, while the Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said the Government had aimed to grow rail freight by at least 75% by 2050. She said Great British Railways would have duties to promote freight, improve capacity allocation and support private investment.
Adjournment debate on road safety in the West Midlands – House of Commons – 09/06/2026 – Minister Simon Lightwood was present
The debate focused on road safety in the West Midlands, with MPs calling for tougher action on speeding, dangerous driving, unsafe junctions and poor enforcement, especially near schools, villages and rural roads. Manuela Perteghella argued that councils and government should act before crashes or deaths happen, not after, and several MPs raised similar concerns from their own areas. The Minister said road safety is a government priority, pointed to the new strategy to reduce deaths and serious injuries, and confirmed that local authorities do not need to wait for fatalities before improving dangerous roads.
Oral question – Use of electric bikes and scooters on roads – House of Lords – 09/06/2026 – Minister Lord Peter Hendy was present
The debate covered the safety and regulation of e-bikes and e-scooters. The government said legal e-bikes are already allowed on roads, while private e-scooters remain illegal on public roads and rental e-scooter trials are being used to assess safety before a consultation on future rules. Peers raised concerns about serious injuries, lack of rider liability insurance, weak age checks, bikes and scooters blocking pavements, red-light running, illegal high-powered e-bikes, and delivery riders using them dangerously. The Minister said new powers will allow councils to license shared bike schemes and potentially set insurance requirements, while police are increasingly seizing illegal e-bikes and mopeds across the country.
Transport Oral Questions – House of Commons – 11/06/2026 – Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander was present
This session is a regular in the Parliamentary calendar. The Transport oral questions session highlighted themes including road safety, rail performance and public ownership, local transport funding, bus services, active travel, decarbonisation, and enforcement against dangerous road use.
Departmental, national, regional and devolved government announcements
Third cycling and walking investment strategy – 12/06/2026
The government announced its third cycling and walking investment strategy in mid-June, outlining its vision and objectives for active travel.
Government consultation response – Automated vehicles: statement of safety principles – 17/06/2026
The government released their response to this consultation. The response covers the background to the call for evidence, a breakdown of respondents by stakeholder group, as well as a summary of the responses and next steps. Regarding next steps, the government indicated that the draft statement of safety principles will be subject to a public consultation. Following this, the draft will be presented before MPs, to seek Parliamentary approval.
Legislation
Railways Bill – House of Lords
The Railways Bill has completed its House of Commons stages and is set to face its Second Reading in the House of Lords on 7th July, after having been carried over from the previous Parliamentary session.
Select Committees
Transport Select Committee – oral evidence – Road Safety Strategy – 03/06/2026
The Transport Select Committee held its first oral evidence session on the Road Safety Strategy. Among the attendees was PACTS Executive Director Jamie Hassall.
Transport Select Committee – oral evidence – work of the Secretary of State for Transport – 17/06/2026
Heidi Alexander appeared before the Transport Select Committee telling them that the Department for Transport was making progress on improving public transport, investing in roads, supporting the transition to cleaner travel and strengthening transport safety. She highlighted measures including the rail fares freeze, the £3 bus fare cap, funding for zero-emission buses, local road repair investment, EV charging infrastructure, the Better Connected integrated transport strategy and the publication of a new road safety strategy. She said her immediate priorities included responding to fuel-price pressures, improving value for money from road maintenance, consulting on Heathrow expansion policy, supporting bus affordability, bringing train operators into public ownership and getting the first phase of East West Rail into service. The Committee also questioned her on traffic growth, modal shift, accessibility, bus services, HS2 delays, Northern Powerhouse Rail, Great British Railways, EV transition challenges, devolution, driving test backlogs, potholes and border disruption. Safety issues were also raised, including active travel, pavement parking, speed limits and HGV driver welfare.
Transport Select Committee – oral evidence – Road Safety Strategy – 24/06/2026
The Transport Select Committee will hold its second oral evidence session on the Road Safety Strategy. PACTS Chairman Dan Campsall will be in attendance.
